Smile Train Achieves GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Title for Largest Online Photo Album of Smiling Mouths

USA: Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, has etched its name in history by securing a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for creating the largest online photo album of smiling mouths. In a remarkable display of global unity, 21,274 individuals from around the world contributed their smiles to this historic endeavour. 

The achievement was officially recognized by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator Michael Empric, who presented Smile Train with an Official Record Holder certificate. The momentous occasion unfolded during a celebratory event hosted at the Worcester Historical Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, the birthplace of the iconic smiley face created by Harvey Ball in 1963.

Global Milestone Celebrated Locally

The recognition was particularly significant as it coincided with World Smile Day®, a day dedicated to kindness, smiles, and goodwill worldwide. Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This was truly a global effort, and what better place to celebrate! This honour is a win for the cleft community and all individuals born with a facial difference. At Smile Train, we’re passionate about smiles because we know what a serious business they are. As an organisation that supports free cleft surgeries and other comprehensive cleft care, this achievement reinforces the message that all smiles are beautiful.”

William Wallace, Executive Director of the Worcester Historical Museum, highlighted the importance of World Smile Day® to the local community. “We are honoured to partner with Smile Train for this event,” he said. “The Worcester community came together to upload smiles and support Smile Train’s GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title attempt. World Smile Day® is significant for us in Worcester, as Harvey Ball — who gave the world its most iconic smile, the smiley face — is a Worcesterite who encouraged us to help one person smile.”

Smile-Powered Campaign

Smile Train initiated this ambitious campaign in July during National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention month. Samantha Hanratty, actress from Showtime’s Yellowjackets and Smile Train Celebrity Ambassador, inaugurated the campaign by sharing her smile. Dentsply Sirona, a longstanding corporate partner of Smile Train and the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, played a pivotal role in this effort. The company pledged a $20,000 USD donation if the campaign succeeded, but later raised its commitment to $120,000 USD. This generous contribution was presented to Smile Train during the celebration.

Erania Brackett, Senior Vice President Orthodontic Aligner Solutions & Customer Experience and Head of Sustainability at Dentsply Sirona, expressed their pride in supporting Smile Train’s work, saying, “We are proud to help shine a light on the important work that Smile Train does to help children and all people living with clefts. This additional donation will help us continue to provide life-changing surgeries and safe and quality comprehensive cleft care to children all around the world.” Dentsply Sirona will also receive a certificate from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ as a co-record holder.

About Smile Train

Smile Train is an organisation dedicated to empowering local medical professionals by providing training, funding, and resources for free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children worldwide. Their sustainable approach and scalable global health model have had a profound impact on improving children’s lives, enabling them to eat, breathe, speak, and thrive. To learn more about Smile Train’s work and how donations make an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.